ESPN say Butler was 'vociferous and intense' during scrimmage sessions and targeted Timberwolves president of basketball operations and coach Tom Thibodeau, general manager Scott Layden and team-mates, including Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.

“I’m not gonna take it as offense, it's not personal. ‘Jimmy, you shouldn't have done that.’ ‘Yeah, you probably right,’ and I would've said, ‘I ain't hooped in I don't know how long. I'm passionate about it. I love the game and I love to win.’

“And that's all I was out there doing.

“I went into practice today and I competed.”

When pushed on what he said, Butler replied: “I can't remember exactly.”

According to Sporting News, there is a fear amongst general managers in the NBA about signing Butler.

NBA hero Jimmy Butler has clashed with Tom Thibodeau (Image: GETTY)

Butler is understood to have clashed with Timberwolves team-mate Karl-Anthony Towns and reports have suggested he is a disruptive influence in the locker room.

"As good as Jimmy is, I think you have to be concerned about the impact he is going to have in the locker room, on your younger guys, on your coaching staff, all of that," one general manager said.

"He has gotten the benefit of the doubt, but if you look at his history, he’s had trouble getting along in Chicago and now in Minnesota.

"Everywhere he goes, it becomes about Jimmy, and if you’re going to bring him in, you have to account for that."

The Timberwolves begin the season against the San Antonio Spurs on October 18.